Sprawling on the north bank of the River Loire, Nevers is a departmental capital in central France. It was established as a bishopric seat in the 5th century atop the ancient Roman settlement of Noviodunum and is clustered with Renaissance houses dating from its time under the Gonzaga Dukes.
Things to do in Nevers
In the heart of the city is the Nevers Cathedral, which comprises the remains of a Romanesque church with a Gothic-style nave and apse dating back to the 14th century. Gaze up at the elaborately decorated tower dating from the early 16th century before stepping inside to see the fresco painted in the 1100s.
A short walk from the Nevers Cathedral is the Palais Ducal, a Renaissance palace that dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Designed as a residence for Jean de Clamency, the Count of Nevers, it features decorative chimneys, sculptured windows and a spiral staircase. Roman antiquities are on display in the Porte du Croux while magnificent views across the Loire Valley are on offer from the Palais Ducal’s park.
If you're interested in ceramics, pay a visit to the Musee de la Faïence, which occupies a former Benedictine abbey and 19th-century mansion. The collection includes around 4,000 pieces of earthenware and ceramics dating from the 16th to 20th centuries, as well as paintings, sculptures and spun glass. The museum also offers insight into local firing techniques.
Getting around Nevers
Nevers is around an hour’s drive from Bourges and 2.5 hours from the centre of Paris. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is just under three hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Nevers railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Nevers can easily be explored on foot.